Sound off for Dec. 21, 2008
Reader: I'm the third in a line of six generations of Californianreaders.
Losing one of the crosswords really hurt. I was fuming about that — and the microscopic Cryptoquip.
No TV or online viewing compares, though, to having coffee in the morning with the paper.
Times are tough though, so keep doing whatever's necessary to stay alive.
On a recent road trip, my husband and I read newspapers all the way across the USA, but I enjoyed The Californiansyou saved for me more than any of them.
Now after all this flattering truth, couldn't you stretch that Cryptoquip just a teense? Thanks.
— Nancy McClure
Jenner: Thanks for the sweet note, Nancy. You're right, times are tough — but we're determined to not just stay alive but to get our advertisers through this rough economy as well.
I'm glad we were able to save the Cryptoquip, but have to admit you're right — it is microscopic in its new size.
We've got a plan to rearrange that page that will boost its size. You should see a noticeable improvement in about a week.
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Reader: My wife and I didn't complain when you combined the Local and Eye Street sections. We didn't complain when you deleted Flagstaff from your daily national weather forecast. At an elevation above 7,000 feet, on U.S. Route 40, it provided a good travel indicator, especially for snow advisories when traveling east. We didn't complain when you shrank the paper and changed some formats. We have stuck by you in your attempts to streamline and cut costs.
Since 2003 when we moved to Bakersfield and made the choice to subscribe to The Californianwe have seen many changes and have not complained. Now we are. Eliminating the Classified crossword has changed OUR morning routine of friendly competition and mind stimulation; reading the paper, going through the ads and then the two crosswords, one in Eye Street, the other in the Classifieds.
We have lost interest in the paper and have sought other sources for our morning news and advertising, barely looking at the paper each morning.
What a shame.
Please return the Classified crossword to the paper. I'm sure there are others who feel the same as my wife and I and we would hope they are as upset as we are.
Sincerely,
— Lynn Crockatt
Jenner: I know the decision to eliminate the Classified Corner was unpopular. But the economics were overwhelming.
Newsprint prices are at an all-time high, and the space devoted to this feature was the equivalent of the salaries of two staff reporters.
I do understand that's our problem, and crossword fans who enjoyed the second puzzle just want it back. So we will continue to seek a sponsor for that puzzle, and if we can find one, we'll bring it back.
Thanks for your readership and your understanding.
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Jenner: I want to take this opportunity to thank our loyal readers for their support and suggestions throughout the year, and to wish them all a joyful Christmas (or happy Hanukkah).
